Fun in Park City

I've been spending a good deal of time working in Park City, Utah this winter. The details are another story for another time...but it's a great scene. Beautiful mountains, really fun town, endless system of trails, and that world-renowned Utah powder. Nearby family & friends are icing on the cake.

Joanne and I took the snow bikes out on the Round Valley trail system last weekend, and our new friends Bob & Leslie snapped this sweet photo. It was a classic winter day.









We've also done several ski tours near Jordanelle Reservoir, which provides singular mountain & lake scenery. Long herringbone climbs like this lead to awesome, flowing downhills. It's always a bonus when there's a fun payoff.














There are something like 70K of groomed ski trails around Park City, most with stellar views of the surrounding downhill ski mountains. Here, Joanne pauses to take it in on the White Pine trail system. Sun, snow, endorphins and smiles...gotta love it.














Several weeks ago, a mid-January thaw gave me occasion to get the road bike out on real pavement. I hadn't been on it since LOTOJA in September, and must say it felt awesome to be rolling down (& up, & up) the roads again. This pic shows a big view of Jordanelle Reservoir, Heber Valley and the backside of Mt. Nebo.

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today, so it will likely be a while before weather conditions allow for this again. Embrace the snow!

Priceless Weekend in Driggs

From Thanksgiving until last weekend, I was out-of-state working. It's good work, and I'll be doing it for a while, which means back & forth. I have enjoyed the city amenities...but hadn't realized how much I missed my home base in Driggs, Idaho until I returned last weekend. Holy cow, this place is beautiful!

Teton Valley offers the dual advantages of incomparable backcountry, and virtually no crowds. I nailed a perfect weather weekend, and Joanne & I took advantage with some great outings. It was wonderful to get re-aquainted with the landscape that has become such a part of me over the past 15 years.








We kicked things off with a favorite snowshoe hike in the Big Holes, showcasing views across the Valley...the iconic Tetons as background. Snowpack is definitely low, possibly the lowest I've seen at this time of year, which probably just means more snow in April. Joanne and Bridger paused for this classic photo.













I've always loved pointing out the views, and naming mountains in the distance. It was great to be back in the old stomping grounds, taking it in.
















Joanne showed her form on this run up Shooting Star, a longtime favorite, and Bridger's flapping ears kept up It gets better the higher you go.
















The Grand Finale was X-C skiing around the groomed Alta, WY trails, with Teton Canyon standing watch. I had to keep stopping to absorb the views, and pinch myself. If there is a more gorgeous place, I haven't seen it.

Happy New Year to you all!

Thanksgiving Week

It was a great Thanksgiving week around Driggs, Idaho. A little snow & cold, lots of sunshine & fun. Thanks to all the friends for great get-togethers, and delicious turkey! Outdoor adventures were stellar, as always.














The week started off fairly snowy and winter-like, which Bridger thoroughly enjoyed on this snow hike in the Big Holes. We encountered fresh bear tracks, and snow depths up to about 6". Not much for late-November, but a start.

The view of Taylor Mountain during our descent was awesome.













A Thanksgiving Day snow bike ride with Joanne kicked off the real fun. We rode from the house up Darby Canyon, and got into some pretty good snow by the end turn-around point. Joanne was loving it, and I must admit it's like being a kid again with those big 4" wide tires...like pedaling a monster truck.














There's not really enough snow yet for skiing or snowmobiling, so we just kept riding the big snowbikes. This South Leigh Canyon outing with my buddy Dave T rocked, and I think he's hooked.















This was the view as I left Teton Valley for work at the end of the weekend. I stopped, took the photo, and realized how much this place has become a part of me. Makes it tough to drive away sometimes, I'll tell ya.

Fergie nailed it. Happy December!

Stellar November Days

Fall adventures continue, aided by stellar late Indian Summer weather. It's pretty crazy when early-November is nicer than early-June, but that's how it's been around here this year.

We've been slowed a little recently by the ubiquitous flu, but Joanne, Bridger & I managed to rally for a nice Sunday morning jaunt around Jordanelle reservoir, with Deer Valley ski area in the background. Not a bad scene.











Saturday was University of Utah football. A narrow early-season loss to Oregon haunts an otherwise perfect season, but bowl opportunities are still looking good and it was great to connect with our brothers & friends. Absolutely gorgeous conditions, and always fun to visit our old stomping grounds. Go Utes!













The piece-de-resistance was a sweet mountain bike ride on the Glenwild trails... November 11. Incredible to be out there in 60-degree conditions. A couple of snowstorms are forecast in the coming days, so we'll likely be switching bikes for skis next week. Stay tuned.

Fall Photos

Going through my recent posts and albums, I've realized there are several worthy fall photos I haven't yet shared. So, here we go: more evidence of autumn outings.

This first shot is me with Bridger, high in the Big Holes, overlooking the south end of Teton Valley. It was our anniversary evening back in mid-September, and still felt like summer.












I've been spending a fair amount of time in Park City, Utah with work lately, and will continue to do so throughout the winter. This was an exploratory mountain bike ride on the Glenwild-Flying Dog trail back in September, with Parley's Summit in the background. Epic trail system, and I look forward to learning it all.













Back in Driggs, near the mouth of Darby Canyon, ready for a run with Bridger. Harvest season is over, and winter is creeping in now...might as well embrace it.
















Last but not least: last weekend, taking advantage of a bluebird day and riding some sweet trails down in Swan Valley. This is Joanne with the South Fork of the Snake River in the background. Absolutely stellar.

Another nice weekend in the forecast, and then it looks like winter will be moving in for good. Break out the long johns!

From Summer to Winter

What a difference a week makes. We seem to have vaulted directly from summer to winter here in Driggs, Idaho. Tuesday was 75-degrees & sunny, and by Thursday it looked like this. Friday & Saturday were clear, but then more snow arrived last night and this morning. Temperatures are now only in the 30's...what happened to fall?














Bridger enjoyed the season's first "snow hike," which was especially colorful with the fall leaves just starting to turn.















I do hope fall colors get a chance to shine at some point this month. After the late start to summer this year, a couple weeks of classic Indian Summer weather would be enjoyed by all...except maybe the elk hunters.
















Joanne & I took advantage of the brief weather break on Saturday for a nice mountain bike ride, out on the Horseshoe singletrack trails. They were somehow dry, except for this shaded area with a bridge crossing, which made things interesting.

Happy October!

Summer in September

It was still winter in June here in Driggs, Idaho, so thank goodness it's still summer in September. We're savoring these perfect early-Fall days, and squeezing in as many final summer-season adventures as possible.














I was fatigued from LOTOJA for about a week, but have thankfully started getting my mojo back the past few days. Joanne & I kicked off the comeback with a mid-week evening ride in the Big Holes, loving the full-on Teton views and bluebird conditions.














Next was a sweet ride up Powerline & Millcreek trail with my man Dave T. It's a signature Teton Valley trail, but was the first time I had ridden it this year. Another stellar view day, plus Dave is always fun & happy. Thanks, my friend.













Friday date-night was a hike up Darby Canyon to the wind caves. Fall colors are just starting to kick-in, and it was absolutely beautiful. Bridger loved it, and practiced carrying his own pack. A black bear near the mouth of the wind caves added even more excitement to the outing.













Saturday was the annual Fall Classic golf day with my basketball buddies from Jackson. I love these guys like brothers. We played a fun 18-holes at Teton Reserve in Victor, then enjoyed a nice potluck dinner at Jere & Deb's. Good times.














Sunday was icing on the cake: an absolutely epic mountain bike ride with Joanne, Brooke & Craig to the top of Garns Mountain. We accessed it via South Horseshoe Canyon to Elk Flats, then on up to Garns. Not easy, but the view payoffs are well worth it. Good company, lots of laughs, sweet sweat, and memorable day.












I managed a nice photo of Craig taking in the Big Hole range. A controlled fire on West Pine Creek is in the distance, and fall colors are taking hold everywhere. I could sit and look at that view for hours.














Bridger has been loving the outings as well, especially when water is involved.

A snowstorm is forecast for this week...so here's to Fall.